Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

148. Conviction and Compassion: How to Have Hard Conversations

Jun 25, 2024

Join Irv Grousbeck, a Stanford professor and entrepreneur, as he shares his expertise on managing difficult conversations. He emphasizes the balance of conviction and compassion, advocating for directness paired with respect. Discover practical strategies for navigating tough dialogues, including the power of listening and rehearsal. Grousbeck also debunks myths about entrepreneurship, highlighting that many successful founders are actually risk-averse. Learn how collaboration and thoughtful dialogue can turn tense discussions into constructive exchanges.

28:43

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Episode guests

Irv Grousbeck

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Quick takeaways

Balancing conviction and compassion is essential in managing difficult conversations.

Directness, along with respect, is crucial for effective conversation management.

Deep dives

Key Ingredients for Entrepreneurial Success

Entrepreneurial success hinges on identifying opportunities regardless of current resources held and becoming proficient in the specific domain one operates in. This involves recognizing that effective management aligned with a suitable business concept is crucial for success, emphasizing the importance of being an opportunity finder and focusing on appropriate business domains.

Challenges in Communication Coaching: adapting position, brevity, and other-focused

02:18

Ingredients for Successful Communication

02:10

Direct feedback when the other side kept denial at work

01:15

Intro

2min

Debunking Myths About Entrepreneurship

2min

Navigating Difficult Conversations

5min

Navigating Difficult Conversations Through Collaboration

3min

Navigating Cultural Tensions

15min

In our personal and professional lives, some conversations are harder than others. To navigate the difficulties of discussing what matters most, Professor Irv Grousbeck says we need the right balance of conviction and compassion.

At both Stanford Graduate School of Business and Stanford School of Medicine, Grousbeck teaches courses on managing difficult conversations. He equips students with skills to be direct while being respectful, to be strong while being warm, and to resist any urge to beat around the bush. "Directness, with respect, is essential,” he says. "So many of our students feel that if you're direct with someone, somehow that's harsh. The art of good conversation management, I think, does involve directness and respect at the same time."

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Grousbeck and host Matt Abrahams explore practical tips and strategies for navigating difficult conversations, from the importance of listening and pausing, to the value of rehearsing your words in advance.

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Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

148. Conviction and Compassion: How to Have Hard Conversations

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Key Ingredients for Entrepreneurial Success

Dispelling Entrepreneurship Myths

Navigating Challenging Conversations

Challenges in Communication Coaching: adapting position, brevity, and other-focused

Ingredients for Successful Communication

Direct feedback when the other side kept denial at work

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts